Coeur de pirate buys Dare to Care Records after numerous abuse allegations against its artists and management

Cœur de pirate live photo by Jason Hughes.

Coeur de pirate (Béatrice Martin) has bought the long-running and influential Montreal label Dare to Care Records.

Martin bought the label from founder and co-owner Eli Bissonnette following a string of sexual abuse allegations last year against label artist Bernard Adamus, and reports of a toxic working environment at the label. The label cut ties with Adamus, and Bissonnette eventually resigned from his role following a public outcry from fellow label artists and employees.

“I am very excited to begin this new chapter of Dare to Care Records’ great history,” Martin said in a statement released today. “I have many ideas for the future of the label, but my priority remains to provide a healthy and inclusive environment for our employees to thrive as well as for our artists to develop and continue to share our culture.”

Martin will become president and artistic director of Dare to Care and its Grosse Boîte label, which together have released albums from Quebec mainstays including Jean Leloup, Fanny Bloom, Fred Fortin, and Coeur de pirate herself.

More details about the acquisition are expected in the coming weeks. Cœur de pirate is scheduled to release her next album later this year.